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A Missed Visit to Mont-Saint-Michel (and how you can learn from my mistakes)

In college, I saw a film that started an obsession with a place I had to visit. The film was “Mindwalk,” and the place was the film’s setting – the mystical islet of Mont Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy. Years later, when I was planning a trip around France it only made sense that I would include a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris.

It seemed like such a simple idea. In retrospect, this should have been my first clue that it wasn’t going to work out.

The day was one long series of complications, and although it ended on a positive note, it remains one of my biggest travel regrets that I wasn’t able to get to Mont Saint-Michel. Travel SNAFUs happen – even to travel pros – but you can learn from our mistakes.

Photo Credit: LoboStudio

Plan Ahead

This is the most obvious remedy to most travel complications, but it’s also easy to ignore. We so often hear that spontaneity is where the fun is – especially when it comes to travel – but there are some things that require advance planning.

The main reasons you would need to plan ahead for a day trip or a particular attraction are:

• Attractions Aren’t Open Every Day – Many tourist attractions have one day a week that they’re closed. It’s easy to forget what day it is when you’re on vacation, but it sucks to find out that the one day you’ve got set aside to visit the Uffizi (for instance) happens to be the day it’s closed. Look up the open days/hours of the attractions you want to visit in each city you’ve got on your itinerary, and then you can shift your plans by a day if something is closed.
• Tickets Sell Out – Some attractions sell a limited number of tickets per day, so if you plan on waiting until you get into town you could miss out. In some cases – such as the main museums in Florence – there’s a ticket window re-selling last-minute cancellations, but you won’t have your pick of entry times. In other cases – such as the Last Supper in Milan – tickets sell out months in advance and your only alternative is to book a whole city tour that includes the painting.
• Public Transportation Isn’t 24/7 – Most of us are accustomed to public transportation being round the clock, but in many places that’s not the case. Trains and buses don’t run 24 hours a day, and their Sunday/holiday schedules are even more limited. If your day trip is planned for a Sunday or a holiday when buses and trains won’t be as useful, that’s when booking an organized tour or renting a car for the day might be your only option.

Have a Plan B

After unexpectedly bursting into tears in a French train station upon realizing I wouldn’t be able to get to Mont Saint-Michel, my day was rescued by my quick-thinking travel companions who said, “Hey, we’re close to the D-Day beaches, right?” I was too emotional to see any other options, so I remain thankful that I was with friends who led the way. These days, I’m better able to get past frustrations and think on my feet – an invaluable skill for a traveler.

The key in most travel situations, of course, is that you may not know what your Plan B is until you realize Plan A won’t work – but being open to the possibility of a Plan B will get you a very long way, indeed.

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About the Author: Jessica Spiegel is the Italy travel expert for indie travel guide BootsnAll, and every single time she looks up Paris airfare she still thinks of Mont Saint-Michel. She really hopes she can get there someday…

Looking for expert help in planning your trip to France? Click here to see the ways I can help!

Italy Travel News : June 2011

In order to keep you in the loop, from time to time, as stories about Italy pop up that relate to travel,tourism and food, I’ll be sharing them with you. Here is some recent Italy travel news for June.

Photo Credit : Maurice

• Murano Wants to Attract More Than Day-Trippers

This tiny island, off the coast of Venice, will forever be known as the destination for glass-making.  But this sleepy enclave is trying to think far into the future when it comes to attracting visitors for years to come.  Murano is planning to build new hotels, expand its urban developement and possibly add an underwater subway which would connect the airport to Murano and Venice, providing rapid transport to and from the island.  This in all in hopes of luring travelers to stay on the island, as opposed to day-tripping in from Venice.  Let’s hope these efforts don’t cause Murano to lose its alluring charm.

• New Hotel Tax for Florence & Venice

Unfortunately, Florence and Venice have both decided to hop on the same bandwagon as Rome by adopting the same hotel tax in the city that Rome put into place at the beginning of this year. Beginning July 1, 2011, visitors to both locations should expect to pay an additional €1, per person, per night, which will be tacked onto their hotel bill.  I would encourage you to email your hotel directly to double-check what the exact fee will be for your party, as I have seen conflicting reports on how these fees will actually be calculated.

• Walking in Florence Gets Safer

Though it is difficult to drive in the city center, and I discourage anyone from doing it – not only because it isn’t necessary, but because you’ll likely wind up with a pile of traffic tickets when you return home from vacation.  Florence has decided to implement a few new traffic-free, pedestrian-friendly zones. This is excellent news for travelers walking and touring around the city.  Now you’ll be able to experience the museum of life in these areas a little quieter and safer.  But, you still need to watch for scooters zooming by you at record speeds, practically running you over while YOU are in the cross-walk.  No improvement on that front quite yet!

• Milan’s La Scala Gets a Bail Out

You may remember luxury shoe giant Tod’s pledged big-time funds to restore and repair the Colosseum in Rome.  Well, now he is also coming through for Milan’s La Scala opera house. According to Reuters, he is donating 5.2 million euros to save the famous failing opera house and is calling on other Italian businessmen to help save Italian cultural treasures. Why not support the cause by purchasing tickets to a show on your next visit to Milan?

Planning a trip to Italy? Click here to see the many ways I can help!

Image of the Week : Carousel in Montmartre

I am a sucker for a pretty French carousel, and this ornate merry-go-round in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris is no exception.  You may remember this carousel from a scene in the movie Amelie.  You can see the old-fashioned ticket booth to the right, as well as the majestic Sacré Coeur in the background.

And though I don’t have video of it, trust me, it does in fact play lovely carnival-style music as it spins around. A visit here makes travelers of all ages feel like a kid again.

Not Your Everyday Italy Guidebook

Photo: fotologic

Anyone who has ever planned a trip to Italy on their own, or anywhere really,  is very familiar with the big names in travel guides.  Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and DK Eyewitness Travel Guides all top the list.

And while all of those guides are well-respected and serve a very specific, important purpose, I just love to shout from the Italian terracotta rooftops when I come across a unique travel guide about Italy.

When someone takes a creative approach to a place as written about as Italy and puts a different spin on it, looks at it through a different lens and then writes about something that appeals to a specific type of traveler, I like to talk about it.  Reading an Italy travel guide with a quirky theme or a unique angle really gets me excited, especially when a learn something new at almost every page turn.  It renews my passion for the Bel Paese.

Today, I thought I would share some that speak to me personally, which is why I have recommended them.

1.  100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go. Susan Van Allen has created a delicious list of some fabulous places that travelers headed to Italy should experience.  From spas to shopping, ceramics to churches and everything in between.  And though the title speaks to females, perhaps for marketing reasons, there should be no reason that men wouldn’t enjoy most of the suggested items.

2.  Italy for the Gourmet Traveler. More than a travel guide, this is a giant bible that should be on every food-worshiping Italophiles’ nightstand. Fred Plotkin is *the* ultimate Italian food foodie and his book focuses on, you guessed it, food.  But not just the typical restaurant recommendations for the largest cities.  Instead he aims to educate the reader on food, wine, recipes, customs and cultural traditions throughout more than 500 cities and all 20 regions of Italy.  A favorite for getting off-the-beaten-path.

3.  Made in Italy. This Italy guidebook is a shopper’s dream. It’s a perfect resource for those who wish to shop, experience or just browse through artisan shops and boutiques while traveling throughout Italy. The guidebook focuses on the artisanal traditions that Italy is famous for – jewelry, leather, ceramics, Murano glass and of course, food and liqueurs.

4.  The Romantic’s Guide to Italy. No  doubt about it, Italy is one of the world’s most romantic destinations.  For those who want to have a love affair with Italy, get married or honeymoon in Italy or just spend time in some of those most charming and idyllic spots, this is the Italy guidebook for you!

5. Italy : Instructions for Use. Perhaps my favorite Italy guidebook isn’t packed with local addresses, restaurant and hotel suggestions or drop-dead gorgeous photos.  Instead it has what travelers to Italy need most – practical advice.  Tips on using Italy’s transport systems, the language, store and restaurant hours, cultural notes and more. It’s how to do Italy right.  Don’t leave home without it!

Traveling to Italy? Click here to see how I can help plan your dream trip!

Image of the Week : Tuscan Olive Grove

I’m not quite sure if the above image can be officially classified as a true olive grove.  But it was snapped while meandering through the tiny roads in the Chianti countryside, and those look like olive trees to me!

I just love the contrast of both the dark green and sage green leaves against that Tuscan blue sky.  The addition of the crumbling stone structure makes this a picture-perfect Italian landscape.

Voguéo : Paris’ Water Transport System

Photo: Clicsouris

There are so many ways to travel around Paris these days. Taxi, Métro, Bus, Bat-o-bus, and the more recent Vélib bike program are just a few great options. Not to mention one of my most recommended ways – good old fashioned shoe leather!

But, did you know that Paris has been testing its own water transport system, called Voguéo, for the past three years?

Well, it has and apparently it has been a success!  So much so, that the city is planning to expand its water boat transport system in Paris and beyond. Though it won’t be exactly like Venice’s vaporetto, it is certain to be yet another great way to get around Paris and France.

After three years of testing, it was decided to move forward with the expansion of the Voguéo network, which if the current plans materialize, will connect the Seine and Marne rivers in Paris.

Currently, the Paris ferries (which run every 15-20 minutes depending on the day and rush-hour times), connect the Gare d’Austerlitz to the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, the Port de Bercy and the eastern suburbs.  Single tickets cost a mere €3 and children under 4 years of age ride free.

Slated for a 2013 debut, the new Voguéo network will include three lines that run daily and coordinate with the bus, Métro and RER networks in Paris and will cost 7€ for a one-way ticket.  There is also talk of the Voguéo being included in the Navigo Paris pass, which is a transport pass for the city.

Though the Voguéo ferries will not likely operate in very inclimate weather, I think this is a great option for those who prefer to stay above ground and see the gorgeous scenery as opposed to heading underground to travel around Paris.

What do you think?  Is this exciting news and would you use Voguéo?

Planning a trip to Paris? Click here to see how I can help!

Source : Bonjour Paris

Travel Tip Tuesday : Tips for Taking the Kids to Europe

All too often kids get left behind, while Mom and Dad go on their European dream vacation. And while I am sure the adults deserve some alone time, I don’t think the children should be deprived. Not only can travel can be a great education for kids, but introducing them to new cultures can broaden their sponge-like minds and help them become more well-rounded little people.

That said, traveling with children to Europe can definitely be challenging, so here are some quick tips to help everyone have a bit better experience on their European vacation.

Things to do before you go:

1.  Get them involved in the planning.  Explain where they will go, have them pick some things they would like to do.  This way they know a bit about where you are going and are more likely to have ‘buy in’ if they get to choose some of the destinations and activities.

2.  Practice some of the language. Kids will enjoy learning and be excited to use some basics from a new language.  It will be a hoot for them to speak a few words to locals in another language, especially in Italy – a very kid friendly place.

3.  Get them excited. Watch movies and read books about your destinations well in advance.  Scour the Internet for fun videos for them to watch or scroll through photo slide shows.  It certainly gets adults psyched, so I am sure it will have the same effect on children.

During your trip:

1.  Plan for bathroom breaks. Know that you will need to make many more than when you travel without the kids. When in doubt, seek out the closest McDonald’s for a clean, free bathroom.

2.  Give them their own digital camera. Letting them spend hours snapping their own photos, will keep them occupied.  It’s a sure bet you’ll get some great shots at their eye level – which is a much different perspective than yours.

3.  Remember you’re on their time. Don’t spend a whole day in a museum.  It’s not fair to them.  They’ll be board.  Break up the day with a little of what they want and a bit of what you want. And no matter what activities you are participating in, take lots of breaks

4.  Make visiting museums fun. Kids will only be engaged at paintings, photos and artwork for so long.  Try to make it fun for them by giving them things to try to pick out in the artwork.  Get creative and play a “Where’s Waldo” type of game when you can.

5.  Keep them hydrated and fed. Pack plenty of healthy snacks and water, skip the soda and sugar.  Meal times or restaurants can vary compared Visit a local food market, get some fresh fruit and perhaps adventurous kids might want to explore a new type of food.  Visiting a local supermarket can also be a fun and educational experience. Hydrate with water, rather than surgery juice or soda, which is also more expensive.  This will hold them over until meal times.  Some fountains even have fresh, potable water – which I can imagine being cool for a kid to fill up a water bottle in a La Dolce Vita moment.

6.  Seek out kid-friendly activities. Plan on visiting a local park, to run around and play with some other children.  Perhaps there is a zoo in town.  Many cities also have children’s museums that you should make part of your plans.

7.  Try to avoid standing on long lines.  Kids are only so patient.  Waiting on-line for an hour to get into a museum that may not hold their attention very long isn’t going to help your cause.  Try researching when a particular attraction may be less crowded.  Or, if your budget and travel style allows, try booking ahead to avoid waiting in line.  Sometimes arranging a private tour guide also allows you to avoid lines and having another person to interact with can keep children engaged and entertained.

8. Be patient and flexible. Nothing involving children will ever go 100% as planned. You need to roll with the punches.  Kids get board.  Kids get tired.  Their feet can hurt from all the walking and they can get hungry.  Stay in tune to what your child needs at the time and make adjustments as needed.  Is keeping them unhappy and possibly causing a major meltdown to see the tiny photo of Mona Lisa really worth it?  Mona Lisa will always be there.

9.  Reward with sweets. When all else fails, a little bribery or a treat for being well-behaved can really go a long way. You can’t go wrong with gelato, chocolate, ice cream or one of their favorite treats.

What are your best tips for traveling with kids?  Share them in the comments.

Is your family planning a trip to France or Italy?  Click here to see how I can help!

Don’t forget to check out Cherrye’s travel tips!

Travel Photo Friday : Valle d’Aosta

Since the weather outside is blazing hot, I thought this lovely photo submission from my friend and fellow blogger Eleonora Baldwin, of a glacier in Valle d’Aosta would cool us off for this month’s Travel Photo Friday. Elie describes her photo below:

This photo was taken during a “working vacation” in Valle d’Aosta-Vallée d’Aoste a few summers ago, on the country road that connects Entreves to Courmayeur, a short distance from the Italy-France border.

I was there for the action scenes of a film shot at 11,000 ft elevation in Helbronner Point on the Mont Blanc glacier, in four feet of July snow.

Downhill, the weather was summery, as the photo shows. The indescribable beauty of the silent montagna, the crisp mountain air, rippling waterfall and vivid colors presented in Madre Natura’s majestic exhibition, made what I captured early that mid-summer morning, one of my fondest travel memories.

Do you have a stunning photo to submit for Travel Photo Friday?

Send it, along it with a short description, to mymelange{at}yahoo{dot}com.

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See you for our next edition on July 1st!